Second Reading of the Bill for the Amendment of the Income Tax Act (416 SE)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, third session, plenary session
Date: 2024-05-28 13:45
Total Speeches: 138
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 2h 5m
AI Summaries: 138/138 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu debated the second reading of Bill 416, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning the amendment of the Income Tax Act. Jürgen Ligi, representative of the Finance Committee, presented the committee's positions, noting that the bill was unpleasant but necessary due to the budgetary situation. The committee unanimously decided to propose concluding the second reading and sending the bill to the final vote on June 5th.
The debate was extremely passionate, focusing on the government coalition's broken election promises, especially the pledge to keep the average pension income tax-free. The opposition (Centre Party, EKRE, Isamaa) accused the government of fleecing pensioners to finance the abolition of the tax hump aimed at the wealthier population. Ligi defended the bill, emphasizing his role as the representative of the Finance Committee and pointing out that the budget problems stemmed from the looser fiscal policies of previous governments (starting from 2016). An amendment proposed by the Isamaa faction was put to a vote but was rejected. A proposal to interrupt the second reading was also rejected. The second reading of the bill was concluded, but the sitting ended before the vote on extension due to a procedural recess request by Martin Helme.
Decisions Made 3
Amendment Proposal No. 1 by the Isamaa faction was rejected (25 for, 50 against).
The proposal by the EKRE and Centre Party factions to suspend the second reading of Draft Bill 416 was rejected (25 in favor, 52 against, 1 abstention).
The second reading of Bill 416 was concluded
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The third item on the agenda is the second reading of Draft Act 416, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning amendments to the Income Tax Act. The report will be presented by Jürgen Ligi, a member of the Riigikogu Finance Committee.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi announced that the committee decided to conclude the second reading and put the draft bill to the final vote on June 5th, citing the context arising from the budgetary situation. He also recalled that the income tax exemption for the average pension has been crucial in shaping the tax burden, and that its abolition and subsequent restoration is significant for pensioners, a fact reflected by the exemption currently in effect this year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He thanks them and states that he has a few questions, asking Aleksandr Chaplygin to answer.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin is accusing the coalition of breaking its promises, stating that they are not taxing the average pension, are taking 130 euros annually from pensioners, and are refusing to tax the banks that earned a billion euros last year.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi criticizes the Riigikogu's presentation of pre-written texts and their tendency to read them stiffly from paper before anyone has even listened. He highlights the chasm between promises and reality, as well as the overly optimistic points included in the coalition agreement, citing the 2016 decision to scrap the income tax exemption for the average pension—a move that signaled the start of Jüri Ratas’s tenure as prime minister.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Andrei Korobeinik to speak.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Korobeinik emphasizes that if this law is adopted on the third reading, pensioners could lose money and their livelihood might worsen. He also recalls the Center Party’s emergency raising of pensions and the Reform Party’s subsequent termination of that practice.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi criticized the Riigikogu debate, describing it as a situation where people fail to listen, instead trying to shame others and merely reading out prepared texts. He stressed that participants must listen to one another and take into account the context of history and the discussions held within the committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Andrei gets yet another chance, and Urmas Reinsalu, please.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi apologizes, noting that he remembers the answer but doesn't recall whether it was preceded by a question, and that you presented answers.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the respondent of lying regarding the promise to maintain the income tax exemption for the average pension, referencing Jürgen Ligi’s manifesto “Estonia Must Not Be Cheap” and the promise recorded in the coalition agreement, and asks whether the lie occurred before or after the elections.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi claims that lies are currently being told: it was stated in the introduction that he has personally fought against the income tax exemption for the average pension and that he is quoting his personal articles, which is false. He is prepared to debate, but not as a representative of the committee, and the audience must not be left with the impression that he is representing only himself here.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to come forward.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev points out that the tax-exempt pension was originally eliminated in order to implement the tax hump, and now they plan to eliminate the tax hump while simultaneously eliminating the tax-exempt pension, which really makes one question the logic.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi notes that the abolition of the uniform tax-free minimum and tax exemptions will result in additional budgetary costs, and the Riigikogu opted for a higher unified limit for everyone. However, he stresses that a functioning tax system is worth incurring such a budgetary expense for the benefit of the taxpayer.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave the floor to Helle-Moonika Helme.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme is accusing Kaja Kallas of the state having no money other than what it takes from taxpayers. She claims the prime minister is looking for money abroad, which could lead to pension cuts, and asks whether such a possibility is on the horizon.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi stressed that pensions represent a significant, long-term expenditure, and the index—which functions as their automatic stabilizer—must be shielded from extraordinary hikes and populist leaps. This is crucial because the index relies on demographics and the average wage, and it helps maintain the stability of the state's finances.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Andrei Korobeinik to speak.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He points out that the pension index does not depend on demographics, but primarily on the average wage and inflation, and raises the question of whether it is reasonable that the income tax paid by pensioners covers the wage increase of wealthier people—yours or mine.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi stresses that people who earn wages doing honest work shouldn't feel ashamed or guilty, and that the pension index depends 80% on demographics via social tax revenue and 20% on the consumer price index. He adds that the topic needs thorough investigation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address contains only a brief request: to invite Arvo Aller to the stage.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller emphasizes that the aim of the savings measure is to improve the income tax reform and make the 700-euro minimum available to people, and asks how much the state will save by changing the taxation of old-age pensions and what amount pensioners will lose.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi states that pension growth acts as an automatic stabilizer, dependent on social tax revenue and inflation. He argues that although some wish to curb this growth, it is a necessary long-term step in the budget, because the state's fiscal problems stem from indexed and constantly accumulating new expenditures, rather than from costs that are already established.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called Kert Kingo to the stage.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo is asking what happened to the sound state budget and strong financial standing that Keit Pentus-Rosimannus and Kaja Kallas promised, especially given that the current bill aims to secure additional funds for the state budget.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi notes that although the Income Tax Act should ensure state revenues and services, the budget has not been in good shape over the last ten years, and the loosening of budget rules in 2016–2017 and the impact of alcohol excise duty increased the risks.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev notes that the abolition of the tax hump is such an expensive promise that the idea should now be postponed or even completely abandoned, in order to avoid fleecing pensioners and to secure half a billion in additional funds.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi emphasizes that the agenda must be followed, that his name and role in the report must be known, and that introducing topics randomly is not consistent with the rules of procedure, although he has personal viewpoints that he can clarify later.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a short prayer, directed at Anti Haugas.
Anti Haugas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Anti Haugas notes that despite the turbulent previous year, pensions have grown by over 10% this year, the ratio of working-age people to pensioners is increasingly tilting in favor of the latter, and personal responsibility for increasing one's pension income has decreased. He then asks whether the system is sustainable in the long term and what the pension policy for the next decade should look like.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi emphasizes that the ideas of dismantling the pension system and the rhetoric of financial freedom are flawed, and given the conditions of aging demographics, the working-age population must save for retirement, although in some cases, self-directed investments may exceed the returns of professionals.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief request calling upon Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu is accusing the coalition of the deceitfulness of their pre-election promises, specifically pointing out that the income tax exemption for the average pension and the 1200 euros promised to all pensioners were pledged before the elections and subsequently withdrawn afterwards. He is now asking the Reform Party whether they had a clear overview of the state’s financial situation and sufficient competence.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi delivered a brief statement of thanks.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Even though the signing took place, the information arrived a short time after the decision took effect.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi said that the Finance Committee did not participate in the elections or make promises, but instead evaluated them and found that the Reform Party presented the smallest promises, and the assessment regarding the net sums is objective, coming from the Ministry of Finance.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks the audience to be silent.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi notes that Isamaa’s promises have been restrained, the Finance Committee has found that the promises of other parties have been orders of magnitude greater, and his ongoing commitment is to continuously monitor the sustainability of public finances and to be even more critical in the future.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Martin Helme to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme is accusing the Reform Party and Kaja Kallas of cheating on their election promises, claiming that they promised a 400-euro pension increase before the elections, only to reduce pensions by 130 euros afterwards. He argues that this resulted in pensioners being scammed out of 530 euros, and asks whether those very same pensioners now have any reason to vote for Paet in the European elections.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi stresses that the Ministry of Finance's assessments differed from his description, and confirms that he is neither lying nor running for office, stating that, as the party chairman, he wishes for Jaak Madison's advancement, and notes that the congratulations to the questioner regarding the European elections, which originated from yesterday's protocol, are irrelevant to the context of the draft bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi called Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme accuses the Reform Party of harassing pensioners and taking everyone’s money, questioning why pensioners are being targeted so personally.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi, speaking as the representative of the Finance Committee, stated that the disorderly conduct taking place in the Riigikogu is not appropriate, and he corrected Anti Haugas, asserting that pensions rose by approximately 17% last year (not 10.6%). He added that if this constitutes hostility, then that judgment should be left to the listener's conscience.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speaker addresses Varro Vooglaid and asks him.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid accused the respondent of lying, citing the Ministry of Finance's assessment that the Reform Party's income tax reform was the most expensive promise. He also recalled the campaign promise to keep the average pension tax-free and asked whether the respondent had advocated in the Finance Committee against the bill receiving the committee's support, referencing unfunded promises made before the elections.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi rejects the accusation of lying, stating that the total cost of the election promises was about 1.1 billion, a large part of which is the cost of abolishing the gross cost, and the net expenditure is much smaller. He also emphasizes that the price of the entire program cannot be determined based on a single indicator.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asked Martin Helme to speak.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the Reform Party of failing to deliver on promises and raising taxes, claiming that the 17% pension hike did not offset the 34% inflation seen over the past three years, and consequently, the real incomes of pensioners have decreased. He now asks how they plan to explain yet another reduction in pensions to the elderly under the Reform Party regime.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
According to Jürgen Ligi, the Finance Committee has assessed the costs and discrepancies of the election promises. He noted that EKRE's promises are very difficult to grasp and exceed [the budget] by over two billion, but these were not discussed in the context of the current bill. Our duty is to reach a sustainable path in public finances, and this bill represents one step in that direction.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Jaak Valge to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaak Valge directly asked why banks' excess profits are not being taxed and why the situation of pensioners is being worsened. He then asked whether he is in the minority within the party on this issue, or if they genuinely believe that taxing banks' windfall profits is unnecessary.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi argues that taxing banks is a political whim that damages the reliable investment environment, because money is taken away during good times and isn't returned during bad times. Furthermore, one-off revenues are useless because we suffer from a deficit of ongoing income.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Helir-Valdor Seeder to take the floor.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder complains that you are constantly in the minority within your own party on finance and budget issues. He suggests you look for another party, criticizes Isamaa's amendment proposal, and asks whether the elimination of the non-existent tax hump should be abandoned or postponed in the current situation.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi gave brief thanks.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi notes that he is often in the minority within the party due to his conservative views, and he hasn't found a better party. He adds that fiscal policy and the overall worldview are a serious problem for him, but the committee did not discuss the issue. He is drawing a line under this particular answer and will not allow the topic to be elaborated further.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart to speak.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The report criticizes the fact that while banks are doing better, they are not required to give anything back, yet pensioners are being targeted for taxation—in addition to income tax, VAT, excise duties, and car tax—and soon land tax will be added, too. This threatens the survival of pensioners' homes and farms and raises the question of what we should tell them and how they are supposed to cope, given that the principle of legal certainty does not apply to them.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi claims that the unpleasant legislative initiative is due to the loosely managed fiscal policy pursued since 2016, and although the real income of pensioners is growing, and the growth was strongly noticeable over the past year, this is not sustainable. Therefore, we must stick to the topic and set aside political parties for the time being.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The purpose of the address was simply to invite Arvo Aller to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller said the discussion was very broad, and he did not receive an answer regarding the debate over Isamaa's proposals. He criticized the way people are being financed through bank profits and interest rates, and then posed Martin Helme's question: how pensioners are supposed to cope in the current situation, given the reduction of their incomes and the elimination of the income tax exemption on pensions.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi stated that pensioners' incomes will not be reduced; they will be taxed marginally more than this year, but the real growth of pensions will continue, and most people will manage, although those with very small pensions will have a harder time, and the state and local governments will help them.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Jaak Valge to speak.
Jaak Valge
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He acknowledged that the introduction of a bank tax has not ended well in some countries, and cited Lithuania as an example: Lithuania, much like Estonia, introduced a solidarity tax, which has so far generated about half a billion euros in revenue, and whose macroeconomic indicators are better than those of Estonia.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi emphasizes that although Lithuania's economic growth is better in some areas thanks to domestic consumption and large companies, one-off sums of money do not build long-term trust or solve the economy's problems, and state revenues must be sustainable and not dependent on political will.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a brief invitation for Helir-Valdor Seeder to come to the stage.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder asks whether the amendment proposal to the draft bill is justified, whether or not the situation has changed, and whether the promise should be postponed if it fails to improve the economy or the business environment.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
According to Jürgen Ligi, Parliament has decided not to amend the illogical 34% margin tax. Furthermore, the Finance Committee did not discuss the issue, and despite the opposition fighting against it, there are no plans to reverse the decision.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi addressed Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart with a request.
Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The speaker criticized the rationale that the success of banks should not be taxed, while the growth of pensioners' pensions can be taxed. This would increase inequality, given that many pensioners are already struggling to get by on their current pensions.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi emphasizes that one should not bring up matters they don't understand, states that he has already answered the questions, and adds that if factual proof indicates a misunderstanding and that the argument is actually with the Finance Committee, the discussion needs to stop.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Kert Kingo to the stage.
Kert Kingo
AI Summary
Kert Kingo asked whether the commission had a real, down-to-earth discussion about how the change affects the daily livelihood of pensioners, or whether there was anyone present who knows what the situation actually looks like in practice, beyond just those dealing with Excel spreadsheets.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi pointed out that pensioners started paying income tax in 2021–2022 due to the abolition of the additional tax-free minimum, which was done in order to establish the tax hump. However, the increase in the tax-free threshold has been very significant, and although it will be frozen, it will still remain in effect. Furthermore, the Finance Committee condemns the decisions made in 2016–2017 regarding the creation of the tax hump.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler recalled the idea, published in Postimees before the elections, that the state budget policy would be responsible, the budget balanced, and the average pension income tax-free. He then asked the committee whether such claims had been discussed and whether Akkermann had lied or simply failed to grasp the nation's finances.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi stated that the committee had unanimously concluded the second reading, and the repeal of the absurd tax bulge structure was no longer debated. He added that he is a greater fiscal conservative than the average member, both within the party and on the Finance Committee.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invited Varro Vooglaid to speak.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid is asking the Reform Party MPs why they failed to oppose the continuation of proceedings in the Finance Committee on a bill aimed at retracting the promise to keep the average pension income tax-free.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi said that the biggest promises arise during the formation of coalitions and the accompanying financial agreements. He criticized the Reform Party and recalled the exaggeration of 2019 pension figures as a critique of promises, noting that although the average pension turned out to be higher than promised, he had not been mistaken in his view that political parties should not take on financial forecasts.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi invites Rain Epler to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In his speech, Rain Epler noted that Jürgen Ligi had publicly admitted his error, criticized the constant broadening of the issue, and highlighted the coalition agreement’s promise that the average pension would be income tax-free. He further added, speaking as a young politician, that he was learning from Vooglaid how the formation of coalitions, the substance of the agreement, and the activities associated with it actually function.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi states that even though the coalition agreement didn't hold up financially and he wasn't one of the negotiators, he now represents the Finance Committee and is attempting to pull the budget out of its growing deficit.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the presenter, announced that there were no further questions, but posed two procedural questions to the chairman of the session, and asked, "Has Tiit been found, Urmas Reinsalu?"
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stresses that you ought to say something, because you have a duty to find him.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi says he is currently chairing the session.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the amendment proposal had not been presented clearly enough during the processing of the draft bill, and he asked the presiding officer to allow Jürgen Ligi to return to the podium and present a specific amendment so that they could focus on the work.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that Jürgen Ligi explained why the proposal could not be taken into account; although there were few amendments, more time should have been dedicated to them and the voting results, and he hopes to clarify the procedural matter.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Seeder pointed out that the only amendment proposal came from Isamaa, and no substantive answer was received during the debate. He then asked whether parliamentary questions should only be posed on topics that are already understood, or if their purpose is rather to gain understanding, referencing Jürgen Ligi's statement: "Don't ask about a topic you don't understand."
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi said that he agrees with the emphasis and always asks when he doesn't know something in order to become wiser, and finally, he asked Jürgen Ligi for a procedural response.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi apologized for the delay caused by turning the page and for failing to mention the vote on the proposed amendment. He explained why the Finance Committee had not taken these proposals into account, affirmed that his substantive answers and financial assessments constituted a sufficient response, and stated that it is slanderous to claim he said, "don't ask about things you don't understand," stressing that asking questions remains permitted.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Thank you very much, dear colleagues—the debate was engaging, substantive, sharp, and ultimately balanced, and we have found common ground; we will now open negotiations, and we invite Andrei Korobeinik to speak first.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The report acknowledges that the government's economic and pension policies are exacerbating inequality in Estonia, as pensioners' purchasing power is falling and the risk of poverty is growing. Furthermore, the situation of large families and people residing in rural areas is especially vulnerable.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks for three more minutes.
Andrei Korobeinik
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Andrei Korobeinik is sounding the alarm about the decline of the Estonian economy, accusing the wealthy of failing to keep money in circulation. He also suspects that members of the Reform Party are showing up in the chamber to lend their deep support to an unfair bill—one that would effectively transfer about 150 euros from pensioners to the rich—and calls on everyone not to vote (for the bill) and to remember the elderly.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks [the assembly] and invites Rain Epler to speak.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The report criticizes the government's tax policy, which raises revenue by taking from those who have the least. Furthermore, the story of an elderly woman named Mari highlights the critical stance taken by seniors and her decision to cast a paper ballot—specifically choosing not to vote for the Social Democrats, the Reform Party, or the new party.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi offered his thanks and announced that interventions would be taken in the order of registration. He asked Jürgen Ligi if he had a rebuttal or anything to say, then permitted Martin Helme to speak and granted him an additional three minutes.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme accuses the Reform Party of mismanaging state finances, arguing that pensions have actually fallen in real terms relative to inflation. He is calling on pensioners to vote for EKRE on June 9th to protect those pensions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech includes thanks and draws attention to Jürgen Ligi's response.
Jürgen Ligi
AI Summary
Jürgen Ligi said he was representing the Finance Committee, not a personal or party agenda, and emphasized that the current government is struggling and unable to sufficiently correct the situation. He noted, however, that the primary cause of inflation is the war and the Kremlin, and previous governments are responsible for the state of the budget.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas called Urmas Reinsalu to the podium, and Reinsalu requested additional time, stating: "Eight minutes, please."
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the government of breaking promises and engaging in deception, claiming that the draft bill and the coalition's policy will eliminate the income tax exemption for the average old-age pension and introduce tax hikes after the elections. He calls on the public, ahead of the European Parliament elections, not to be fooled, stressing that Isamaa has submitted a specific amendment and asks all members of parliament to consider a four-year postponement of the Reform Party's "tax hump" concept in order to resolve the crisis before July 1st.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas invited Aivar Kokk to the Riigikogu podium.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk slammed the coalition's tax policy, calling it a series of secret pre-election tax hikes and a betrayal of promises. He claims that achieving the 700-euro income tax exemption requires taking money from pensioners, increasing the debt burden, and will lead to economic decline.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
He is asking for three minutes of extra time.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Riigikogu member Aivar Kokk is criticizing the coalition's budget plans, accusing them of harming the vulnerable, especially pensioners, and calling on the government to withdraw the bill, saying that he is ashamed to be a member of the Riigikogu.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas thanked [the assembly] and asked for Helir-Valdor Seeder to be called to the Riigikogu rostrum.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder thanks the Chair and requests eight minutes of time.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas raises the question: should we add more time, or spend time together?
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He said that if he could get an extra eight minutes, he would take them, but it looks like they won't be granted.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas cracked a short numerical joke—"minus five, or rather three, total eight"—and then requested attention.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Helir-Valdor Seeder accuses the government of pursuing continuously dishonest policy, emphasizing Isamaa's proposal to halt the elimination of the non-existent tax hump and to stop the state from taking 400 million in loans every year for the second pension pillar, a move which would provide a billion-euro solution. He further calls on the coalition to admit its mistake and either withdraw the draft bill or cease its final processing.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas requests that Vadim Belobrovtsev be called to the Riigikogu podium.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev urged the coalition and the opposition to convince the Reform Party that abolishing the tax hump and imposing income tax on pensions is not appropriate at the present time, and that the draft bill should be rejected, thereby saving half a billion.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas invited Helle-Moonika Helme to the Riigikogu podium so that she could speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme is accusing the Reform Party, Eesti 200, and the Social Democrats of breaking their promises and systematically pushing through tax increases. She points to the election pledge that taxes would not rise, and warns that the new draft legislation will introduce a car tax, a sugar tax, a plastic tax, and other tax hikes, simultaneously jeopardizing tax breaks for pensions and families.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Jüri Ratas asked how much you wanted.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme says she will be wrapping up shortly and asks the listeners to stay until the end of the speech.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas confirms that they cannot continue any longer, but nevertheless asks for three minutes.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme is calling on Estonians not to vote for candidates from the Reform Party, the Social Democrats (Sotsid), and Eesti 200, and not to support the coalition. She argues that people are being deceived, that the money is available, and that no cuts need to be made.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that negotiations have concluded and that the review of amendments to Draft Law 416 must now commence. Only one amendment was submitted, coming from the Isamaa faction, and the leading committee decided to disregard it.
Helir-Valdor Seeder
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She asks you to vote in favor of this amendment.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced the preparation for the vote, presented Amendment No. 1 submitted by the Isamaa faction, and noted that the leading committee recommended that it not be taken into consideration, subsequently calling for a position to be taken and a vote to be held.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Twenty-five votes were cast in favor, fifty against, and there were no abstentions. The Board holds the leading committee's proposal to conclude the second reading of Draft Bill 416. Furthermore, two proposals were submitted to the Riigikogu Board (by the EKRE and Estonian Centre Party factions), both having the same substance: the suspension of the second reading.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He is also requesting a ten-minute recess before the vote, on behalf of the EKRE faction.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas thanked [the assembly] and announced that the break would last ten minutes.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Ratas put the vote on suspending the second reading of draft bill 416, submitted by the EKRE and Centre Party factions, and called for members to state their position.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Jüri Ratas announced that the second reading of Bill 416 has been concluded and the consideration of the third item on the agenda has been concluded, resulting in 25 votes in favor, 52 against, and 1 abstention, meaning the proposal did not receive support. The Reform Party wishes to extend the sitting until the agenda is exhausted, but not until 2 PM, and we will now proceed with preparations for the vote – Martin Helme, please.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He/She thanks and first asks if a procedural action may be taken.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
The response is merely a short, polite, affirmative answer: "Yes, please."
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme asserts that his procedure is very straightforward, and asks how an extension could still be decided upon after a ten-minute break.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Jüri Ratas announced a recess and stated that since the vote had not yet been held, the sitting concluded, and Martin Helme was asked to prepare for the vote.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
He requests a ten-minute recess on behalf of the faction.
Aseesimees Jüri Ratas
AI Summary
Thank you all. Today's session is concluded.